Power Lines General Permit FAQs

In February 2024 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service created permits for incidental take of eagles by power lines (50 CFR 22.260), including a general permit option. To be eligible for a general permit, an applicant must meet eligibility requirements in 50 CFR 22.260 (c) - (d), including a commitment to create and implement four strategies: a proactive retrofit strategy, a reactive retrofit strategy, a collision response strategy, and a shooting response strategy. This FAQ describes and clarifies the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s expectations for the proactive retrofit strategy under general permits. A proactive retrofit strategy is not required for specific permits.